Children’s Hospital and Touro Infirmary Present 36th Annual Mother’s Day Celebration at Audubon Zoo Featuring Irma Thomas

Grammy^® Award-winner Irma Thomas returns for her 36^th annual appearance as headliner of Audubon Zoo’s Mother’s Day Celebration presented by Children’s Hospital and Touro Infirmary on Sunday, May 12. The full lineup of food, music, and family fun begins at 10 a.m.

There will be “Mom-tastic’’ activities presented by Children’s Hospital and Touro Infirmary. Thomas also will lead a lemonade toast’ for all mothers sponsored by Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers.

“Touro and Children’s Hospital are pleased to partner with Audubon Zoo to present the annual Mother’s Day celebration and concert,’’ said Touro Infirmary Interim President and CEO Deborah Keel. “As a leader in women’s healthcare, Touro is excited to celebrate New Orleans mothers on this very special day.’’

John R. Nickens IV, President and CEO of Children’s Hospital added, “This event is a great way to encourage families to spend more time having fun together. As the health experts for kids, we at Children’s Hospital are proud to celebrate moms in such a fun and festive way.’’

Before New Orleans’ beloved Queen of Soul belts out her first song, live music begins at 12:30 p.m. on the Capital One Stage with a soul-stirring performance by the Cha Wa band. Thomas and her band, The Professionals, will perform everyone's classic favorites and new hits from 2:30 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Guests looking for a Mother's Day gift can shop the wares of local artisans at craft tents. Receive a candy rose when you donate $2 at the I Heart M.O.M. Booth sponsored by American Heart Association. All proceeds donated at the booth go to M.O.M.– Missing Orangutan Mothers, a heartfelt campaign to raise funds and promote public awareness of orangutan conservation issues.

Families heading down to Audubon Zoo for Thomas’ traditional performance on the Capital One Stage will once again have a special dining option: a Mother’s Day brunch buffet in the Audubon Tea Room that will be served in two sessions - 10:00 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The menu will include complimentary “Mom-mosas’’ for each mother. 

Tickets to the Tea Room brunch buffet are $65 per person and $35 for children (ages 5 to 12). There will be a $5 discount for Audubon Members for adults and children (ages 5 to 12); kids under 5 receive a complimentary brunch buffet. Credit cards are required for reservations. For more information and reservations, call 504-212-5230 or click here. Canceled reservations will not be refunded.

In addition to the Tea Room buffet, there will be food items for purchase on the Capital One field including po-boys, Bavarian brats, crawfish nachos, smoked boudin, chicken wings, meat pies, and an array of desserts. No outside food, beverage, or tents are allowed at Audubon Zoo for special events and festivals. Portable chairs and blankets are welcomed.

The Celebration always draws big crowds to Audubon Zoo, so non-Members are urged to buy tickets online ahead of time. Guests with advance tickets can skip the long lines. Complimentary admission tickets for moms will be available at the Zoo’s front gate.

Mother's Day Performance Lineup

12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Cha Wa

2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Irma Thomas & the Professionals